Results And A Compromise!

"They failed?" – I asked Shikaku.

"Yes, the Tsuchikage's granddaughter proved to be more capable than we anticipated and better escorted. Though it wasn't a complete failure, the target was wounded and her bodyguard died under the combined surprise attack."

I leaned back in my chair as I started thinking about the repercussions this was going to have. The fact that Kurotsuchi was never alone and always guarded pointed to the fact that I had found a rather fatal weak spot of the current Tsuchikage. Her bodyguard was a rather famous Iwa Jonin, slightly lower than Kakashi but still formidable.

This was a rather favorable result considering our Anbu were operating on foreign soil surrounded by enemies and managed to retreat with only light wounds.

"That would explain Onoki's rapid retreat. A conflict avoided but for how long I can not tell. It would be better if I just ended it at the time…" – It was regrettable, going alone against a battalion of shinobi would have allowed me to consume some and most importantly get rid of Onoki and his granddaughter in one fell swoop, ridding myself of the risk of encountering the dust release in the future while gaining it for myself.

"Regrettably, we ended up driving the enemy away instead of tying him in. It will be troublesome later on…" – Shikaku said as he leaned on the wall and looked at me from the corner of his eye.

"Jiraya will be returning in a few days. It seems he and Naruto managed to retrieve Tsunade." – Shikaku said slowly with a stoic voice.

I looked at the papers in front of me, not bothering to turn towards him.

"Is that so? And I suppose there is a point to you sharing this piece of information that hasn't crossed my table with me."

As I said that, I lowered the papers and turned to look at him.

"…Tsunade is the Hokage I want… but it is not the one this village needs. She has many problems, insecurities, and while she can be counted on when the situation calls for it, it is the Hokage's job to never let the situation get that far."

"Hmm, and you believe I will be able to prevent the situation from going that far?"

"Maybe not every time, but I know that you are willing to go very far to pay the lowest price possible in a conflict while making sure to profit the most. Wasn't that how you came up with the plan to use the Tsuchikage's granddaughter? Tsunade would never be able to do that, she would have seen this village dragged to war while upholding ideals."

"Didn't you say that this village was founded on those ideals? What made you change your mind?"

"…If you had followed those ideals, we may have already been dragged to war. Ideals are all well and good, but I would not have my son die for them. At least not if I have a choice."

"And what if your son doesn't agree with you? What if he kicks and curses at you for making this choice for him?"

"Then he will at least be alive to kick and curse at me. Time can solve many things, even if he hates me it will dissipate with time, but death is not something that time can fix."

I looked at Shikaku as I suddenly smiled.

"Well we both know he won't do any of that, he's as lazy as they come after all."

"Hmpf… isn't that true." – Shikaku said as a smile emerged on his face.

I silently looked at him as I continued the thorny topic.

"So… is this you simply acknowledging defeat and backing off… or jumping ship?"

"I will do my best for Konoha, and my abilities are always at the Hokage's disposal." – Shikaku said as he closed his eyes and kneeled in front of the table.

"So as my military advisor, what are your thoughts on the return of Tsunade Senju?" – I asked as I leaned back into my chair and SHikaku rose to look at me.

"Simple, we spread the truth." – Shikaku said.

"That the Senju has come back to claim her throne after abandoning the people." – I said with a smile.

"Lies are dangerous… but the truth is deadly. Depending on how people see it, it becomes twisted to suit the worst possibility. The truth can be the deadliest weapon if used in the right context or situation. You are the most dangerous person in the village, and the people paint you as a kind-hearted savior. Tsunade is coming back to help the village, and yet she will be seen as a usurper."

Well, that was originally my plan as well. There is no need to lie, the people will twist the truth to fit their own image of right and wrong, and just to make sure I had already instructed a few people to spread my 'truth'.

Before they accepted her because there was a gap that nobody had the power to fill. Now that I have filled that gap completely, there is no place for the Slug princess anymore in the people's minds.

"Well, that is that, where are we with the Anbu division?" – I asked as I grabbed a folder from the drawer in my desk, leaned back, and started to go through it.

"We have lost around 20 shinobi in total this month, though the effectiveness of the division has increased tremendously, we may need to start recruiting earlier this year."

I raised my head and looked at him surprised.

"Twenty shinobi in a single month is ridiculously high for an elite division composed of around 200 members. What the hell happened?"

"The commanders seem to have taken your words to heart. They have developed a scoring system regarding completed assignments. The total is 100 points per assignment and depending on how the task went they will be scored accordingly. Accumulated average below 60 for 3 months and they get thrown into the pit, an intricate set of tunnels that they built under the forest of death. They mentioned to me that they had your approval. No matter how many people get thrown into the pit, if someone wants to get out he must do it within one month of getting thrown in."

"Well, I did say they could do whatever they wanted as long as they showed results. What if no one gets out during that month?"

"The lowest scoring teams are assigned to empty it, either alone or multiple low scoring teams together."

"… Wow…" – Was all I could say… I was proud of what the commanders had come up with. This was how you trained elite shinobi, not preaching to them about friendship.

"Wait for a second… it's not been 3 months yet, how did twenty shinobi die already… an example?" – I inquired.

"Yes, they thought that the sooner the other members came to terms with the change the better. Five of them were mission casualties while the other 15 were lost in the pit, one barely made it out so I guess it worked."

"… I honestly thought you would be much more against this."

"Anbu are recruited voluntarily after being warned of the risks they may face. Similarly, all the Anbu that died had been warned of the changes and still chose to stay. I understand their choice, just like they understood the risk."

"And the fact that this brutal method may keep Shikamaru and his friends outside of Anbu doesn't have anything to do with this?"

"…"

"Even in the unlikelihood that he tries to apply to join, I will stop it, you have my word."

"Then I will thank you in advance Hokage-sama."

Shikaku said with a deep bow as I dismissed him. People become so unpredictable when their hearts interfere with their minds. Choosing to side with me would go far in securing the safety of the village as well as Shikamaru's. Shikaku knew that opposing me would only put him on my bad side, and he didn't have the power to change that, merely inconvenience me.

Just how I aimed at Tsuchikage's granddaughter I would aim at his son should he become too much of a problem. When you don't have the power to change anything, you either compromise or get crushed. Shikaku was a strong man, but he couldn't allow his decision to become a knife hanging over Shikamaru. He compromised.